NOTE-WIFI works with our I2C setup, NOTE-ESP fails to work on I2C

Troubleshooting
1

Our current I2C setup works with the NOTE-WIFI (v1.2) but we are unable to communicate to the NOTE-ESP (v2.1). We updated the note-c library to the latest, but still no luck. We tried numerous NOTE-ESP cards as well as the developer and release firmwares. We ruled out any hardware issues (i.e. verified using NOTE-WIFI, checked I2C and data signals, etc).

Any ideas?

Thanks!

2025: The Year in Review
2

Hi @WhiteShoes and welcome to the Blues community!

You have me a bit stumped on this one, as there shouldn’t be any differences between NOTE-ESP and NOTE-WIFI that could cause this. Which Notecarrier are you using (or is this a custom design)? Are you seeing any LED activity on NOTE-ESP when you power it on?

Thanks,
Rob

3

Hey, thanks for the quick reply. This is a custom design. On initial power up the red LED blinks quickly (gradually gets faster) and then stops. This is followed by three flashes (about 3 seconds long each) and then no other flashing.

4

@RobLauer something we noticed was with the Note-Wifi plugged into our device powered down, we were getting a resistance of 10K on the I2C line. With the Note-Esp plugged in were not getting anything. Unsure if this is noteable.

Should all commands be the same?

We primarily use the Legacy Cellular Notecard (we have approx 1,000 in use) and have success with the Note-Wifi.
Not sure if any of this helps.

Thanks again!

5

Hi @WhiteShoes,

There are a couple of things I would check:

  1. Which version of Notecard firmware are you running on NOTE-ESP? The I2C implementation has been dramatically improved in more recent versions.
  2. Do you have any Blues Notecarriers that you can test with the NOTE-ESPs? This will also help to determine if the issue is with the Notecards or your custom carrier.

Thanks,
Rob

6

@RobLauer We have the latest release firmware on (8.1.4).

We do have a Notecarrier-F V1.0 available

7

Rob, I am working with @WhiteShoes on this project.
It seems like the issue is when we try to use the I2C protocol to talk to the Note-ESP Can you confirm that this is tested and working on yourguys’ end? We have used this same hardware setup on about 1400 Legacy Cellular notecard with no problems talking to them over the I2C protocol as well as a dozen or so Note-Wifi cards with no problems.

8

Hi @Pechan and @WhiteShoes,

Ok, it’s great that you are on 8.1.4 as that removes one significant potential issue. As a sanity check I would test your NOTE-ESPs on the Notecarrier F that you have just to verify that the Notecard is functional. And yes we’ve tested NOTE-ESP communications over I2C quite a bit (hence the major improvements that were added to the 8.1.4 release).

Assuming the Notecards are functional, our next step would be for you to set up a call with our “MinSpin” team. This is a free product design service we offer that will help to diagnose this issue at the hardware level. You can sign up for it here: Get Connected Fast with Complimenary Product Design

Thanks,
Rob

9

@RobLauer We verified we had working notecards. We will pursue the MinSpin Team.

Thanks!

1 Like
10

WhiteShoes,

For more “software inside” of the I2C setup of a notecard, take a look at I2C Communication | blues/note-c | DeepWiki.

Warm regards
Rob